Microsoft Kicks Off WinHEC 2008

Today in Los Angeles, CA, Microsoft kicked off the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference with Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president, Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group, and Jon DeVaan, senior vice president, Windows Core Operating System Division highlighting details about Windows 7 features specific to hardware engineers, as well as hardware ecosystem opportunities with Windows 7.  The news was supported by partners, including HP, Canon, Epson and Nokia, who are already working with Windows 7 to deliver innovative hardware experiences including.

Microsoft also demonstrated DeviceStage, a visual interface designed for Windows 7 that eases synchronization of multi-function devices while accessing applications, services, and information.

Looking ahead to Day 2, Bill Laing, corporate vice president, Windows Server and Solutions Division, will further discuss Windows Server 2008 R2 new features such as:

• Live Migration - facilitates customers moving virtual machines from host to host
• Direct Access - allows customers to manage remote PCs from external environments
• Branch Cache - reduces WAN bandwidth between the datacenter and branch offices by inventorying files in a branch
• Scalability - supports greater than 64 processor cores to exploit the CPUs and deploy relevant features

Additionally, Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is the new name for Terminal Services, which allows customers to run the desktop or applications in the datacenter from anywhere.

More information on today's WinHEC news can be found at the following sites:

• Virtual Press Room
• Event Web site
• Windows Team Blog
• Windows Server Team Blog